Masculinity in Frankenstein: A Product of Nurture or Nature?

How influential is nurture in the development of individual lifestyles and character traits? The question of "nature vs. nurture" has been debated and argued for years. Some believe that personality and character is something that people are born with; it is their "nature." Others believe that nurture is more important in individual development. That is, their characteristics are shaped and molded by the circumstances, culture and people that surround their life. It is the purpose of this paper to take a brief look at the role of nurture in the development of certain character traits, specifically that of masculinity.

Victor Frankenstein is raised by two parents in a nurturing and caring environment, yet he is not "masculine" at all. Victor describes his childhood as satisfying. He believes that his parents were enamored with him and that they lived to spoil him. He remembers, "they seemed to draw inexhaustible stores of affection from a very mine of love to bestow them upon me" (35). Victor's parents give him a sister (37), an education (44) and a wife (156).

At first glance, it would appear that Victor, who is raised by two parents, would be more likely to have a strong sense of identity and sexuality than someone who was raised alone; however, Victor also appears to have at least one incidence in his youth that has scarred him -- the death of his mother. Victor, at 17 years old, is devastated by this event. "I need not describe...the void that presents itself to the soul..." (45).

Unlike Victor, the Creature does not have a mother and father to love him and raise him. The only parent figures in the Creature's life are the people that he watches daily. They teach him to "admire their virtues and to deprecate the vices of mankind" (130). The Creature also learns from books, such as Paradise Lost and Sorrows of Werter (130), but does not have a person to teach him directly. All of his learning is done in secret.

Victor and the Creature have very different experiences growing up. Victor represses his anxiety and claims that he has a "perfect" childhood, but the Creature embraces his pain and does not deny that he has been hurt by his lack of parental guidance.

How does this relate to masculinity? What IS the definition of "masculinity" and how does it apply to culture or nurture?. Sociologist Janet Saltzman Chafetz has determined that there are seven masculine characteristics:

Physical--virile, athletic, strong, brave. Unconcerned about appearance and aging;

Functional--breadwinner, provider;

Sexual--sexually aggressive, experienced. Single status acceptable;

Emotional--unemotional, stoic;

Intellectual--logical, intellectual, rational, objective, practical;

Interpersonal--leader, dominating; disciplinarian; independent,

individualistic (applies to western societies);

Other Personal Characteristics -- success-oriented, ambitious; proud, egotistical (applies to some

societies); moral, trustworthy; decisive, competitive, uninhibited, adventurous. ("Masculinity")

These characteristics describe a general understanding of what it means to be masculine. An examination of these character traits outlined by Chafetz can determine which man has the most "masculine" qualities as determined by society.

The Creature meets much of the criteria for "masculine." He is physical, and of enormous height (54). He provides a service to the cottagers that classifies him as a provider (114) or "functional." The Creature also meets the masculine criteria for sexuality. The Creature is very sexual and goes so far as to beg Victor to make him a wife (146). He appears to show no emotion when he brutally murders (144), which is another masculine trait.

Unlike the Creature, Victor is sickly and weak (62). He appears to have no job and is dependent on his parents to put him through college (44). Victor is not a sexual person. He is provided with a wife but is completely disinterested in getting married. Victor also shows extreme emotion when his friends and family die.

It is evident from Chafetz's list of masculine character traits that, despite his lonely upbringing, the Creature exhibits more masculinity than Victor does. Why does the Creature appear to perfectly (or almost perfectly) match the characteristics that describe masculinity, but Victor does not?

Although Victor is raised by a mother and a father and appears to have their endless affection (35), he also appears to be missing some sort of connection with other people. Because Victor's mother died while he was still relatively young, he seems to harbor a certain amount of disappointment with life and with his parents and sister, as is evidenced in his dream (59). Could the fact that he had everything given to him as a child have hindered his masculine development?

The Creature, who is not able to emotionally connect with people, appears to be far more masculine than Victor. Despite the fact that he is not able to become emotionally close with people, the Creature exudes confidence and strength. How then, can the impact of nurture on the development of masculinity be explained?

Based on the descriptions in Frankenstein of both the Creature and Victor, it must be concluded that the development of masculinity is dependent upon a person's upbringing. Both Victor and the Creature grew into the mold placed upon them in their surroundings. Victor was never forced to face hardship alone, so he never learned how to be independent from his family. However, the Creature did have to face struggles alone, and was thereby forced to learn independence early in his life. While both Victor and the Creature were raised in a similar culture, they both were raised in completely different fashions and therefore learned different skills and traits. Victor's coddling constrained him from developing masculinity, whereas the Creature was never doted upon and given every opportunity to develop his masculine traits.

WORKS CITED:

"Masculinity." Kui Name. 2007. 8 September 2007.

Mary Shelley. Frankenstein. London: Penguin. 1992.